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📚 Glossary — 220 German official terms explained

220 German official terms — simply explained

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29 terms found
Amtsgericht (District court)
Court of first instance for civil cases up to €5,000 and criminal cases of minor severity.
The district court decided on the rental dispute.
Law
Anwalt (Rechtsanwalt) (lawyer)
Qualified lawyer who provides legal advice to clients and represents them in court.
For the rent dispute, I hired a lawyer.
Law
Beratungshilfe (legal aid)
State assistance for legal advice outside of court proceedings — own contribution only 15 €.
I applied for legal aid at the district court to consult with a lawyer.
Law
Beschwerde (complaint)
Formal remedy against certain court rulings or administrative decisions.
I filed a complaint against the rejection of my application.
Law
Bürgschaft (guarantee)
Contractual obligation to guarantee the debts of another person — often required for rental agreements for students.
My parents provided a guarantee for my rental agreement.
Law
Chancenaufenthaltsrecht (Opportunity Residence Right)
Since 2023: Provisional residence permit for tolerated persons who have lived in Germany for at least 5 years and meet certain requirements.
Thanks to the Chancenaufenthaltsrecht, he has 18 months to meet the requirements for a right of residence.
Law
Datenschutz (Data Protection)
Protection of personal data, regulated by GDPR and the Federal Data Protection Act.
Every company must appoint a data protection officer.
Law
Deckungszusage (coverage commitment)
Confirmation by legal protection insurance that it will cover the costs of legal proceedings.
Before filing a lawsuit, I obtained confirmation of coverage from my legal protection insurance.
Law
Erbe (Inheritance)
Person who inherits the estate (and debts) of a deceased testator — regulated in the Civil Code.
As an heir, one must decide within 6 weeks whether to accept or reject the inheritance.
Law
Freizügigkeit (Freedom of Movement)
Right of EU citizens to freely move, reside, and work in any EU member state.
As an EU citizen, I have freedom of movement and do not need a work permit.
Law
Geldwäsche (money laundering)
Criminal concealment of the origin of illegally obtained money — large cash transactions are subject to reporting requirements.
Due to anti-money laundering laws, you must show ID for cash payments over €10,000.
Law
Gerichtsvollzieher (bailiff)
Court officer who conducts enforcement of judgments — garnishments, evictions, service of process.
The bailiff came to collect the debts.
Law
Insolvenz (insolvency)
Insolvency — private individuals can be freed from remaining debts after 3 years of good conduct.
Through personal insolvency he became debt-free after 3 years.
Law
Mahnbescheid (Dunning notice)
Gerichtliches Mahnverfahren bei unbezahlten Forderungen — Vorstufe zur Zwangsvollstreckung.
Wenn man einen Mahnbescheid bekommt, hat man 2 Wochen zum Widerspruch.
Law
Mahnung (dunning notice)
Demand for payment of a due claim — after the third reminder, a payment order often follows.
I received the second reminder for the electricity bill.
Law
Notar (notary)
Publicly appointed notary officer — authenticates documents (real estate purchase, inheritance contracts, company formation).
The notary appointment for the property purchase is next week.
Law
Notarvertrag (notarial deed)
Contract that must be notarized — e.g., real estate purchase, company formation, prenuptial agreement.
The purchase agreement for the apartment must be notarized.
Law
Ordnungswidrigkeit (administrative offense)
Minor legal violation (not a criminal offense), punishable by fine — e.g., illegal parking, noise disturbance.
Fare evasion is considered an administrative offense in Germany.
Law
Prozesskostenhilfe (Legal aid)
Staatliche Übernahme der Gerichts- und Anwaltskosten für Personen, die sich einen Rechtsstreit nicht leisten können.
Dank Prozesskostenhilfe konnte ich gegen die ungerechtfertigte Kündigung klagen.
Law
Rechtsschutzversicherung (Legal protection insurance)
Versicherung, die Anwalts- und Gerichtskosten bei Rechtsstreitigkeiten übernimmt — verschiedene Bereiche (Arbeit, Miet, Verkehr).
Meine Rechtsschutzversicherung deckt Mietrecht und Arbeitsrecht ab.
Law
Scheidung (Divorce)
Judicial dissolution of a marriage — requires a separation period of one year and a lawyer.
The divorce is granted by the family court only after a one-year separation period.
Law
Sorgerecht (Custody)
The right and obligation of parents to care for the child's welfare — personal custody and property custody.
For unmarried parents, the mother initially has sole custody.
Law
Sozialgericht (social court)
Court for disputes in social law — citizen benefit, pension, health insurance. Proceedings are free of charge.
I filed a lawsuit at the social court against the rejection of my citizen benefit application.
Law
Vollmacht (power of attorney)
Written authorization of a person to carry out legal transactions in their own name or handle administrative matters.
With a power of attorney, my friend can pick up my package at the post office.
Law
Vorläufiger Rechtsschutz (interim injunction)
Emergency proceedings before court for temporary settlement — e.g., application to stop deportation or dismissal.
With an application for preliminary injunction, the deportation was stopped.
Law
Vorsorgevollmacht (advance directive)
A provision for the case when one is no longer able to make decisions — health, finances, authorities.
With a power of attorney for care, you determine who makes decisions in an emergency.
Law
Widerspruch (objection)
Formal legal remedy against an administrative act (notice) — deadline: typically 1 month from service.
I filed an objection to the rejection notice within one month.
Law
Zahlungserinnerung (payment reminder)
Friendly reminder for payment arrears — after the second reminder, dunning fees and collection often threaten.
I received a payment reminder for the outstanding electricity bill.
Law
Zwangsvollstreckung (enforcement)
State enforcement of financial claims by court officer — seizure of account, salary, or property.
After the payment notice, enforcement proceedings follow if one does not pay.
Law
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